Every Tuesday, local experts field your questions about your health, your kid's health and related issues.

Today, Jessica Lee, an associate professor in the department of pediatric dentistry at UNC-Chapel Hill, answers a question about wisdom teeth.

The question: The dentist says that we should pull my 16-year-old's wisdom teeth. They're not bothering him or causing him problems. Is this standard practice? I've still got mine.

The answer: Indications for this would all depend on the location and eruption pattern of these teeth. It is very common practice to extract third molars. Many dentists will pull them if they are following a pattern that may cause problems in the future.

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